Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Kyoto - Ryoanji & Kinkakuyi Temples

Over Golden Week we went to visit the Ryoanji & Kinkakuji Temples in Kyoto with our neighbor's Paul & Beth. Kyoto is one of those places where I think you could go 10 times and still not see everything.

While both places were nice, I really liked Ryoanji. The gardens were beautiful and it was so peaceful.

Ryoanji

This is part of the rock garden at Ryoanji. It was said to be built during the 1400s. The garden consists of raked gravel and 15 moss-covered boulders, which are placed so that, when looking at the garden from any angle (other than from above) only 14 of the boulders are visible at one time. It is traditionally said that only through attaining enlightenment would one be able to view the 15th boulder. Needless to say I only saw 14.

KinkakuyiPeople would throw coin and try to get them in the pot.

You can buy a "temple" book and have them "signed" at various temples throughout Japan. I decided to try and get each temple that I visit signed as something cultural to take home with me when our experience here is over.